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Blood pressure levels in school-age Japanese children: the Hisayama Study
J Fukushige1, H Igarashi, K Ueda
1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Higashiku Fukuoka, Japan.
Insights
This study tracked blood pressure (BP) in 6325 Japanese children aged 6-14. Mean systolic and diastolic BP increased with age, with boys showing a greater rise in systolic BP.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Cardiovascular Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Childhood blood pressure (BP) is a critical indicator of cardiovascular health.
- Understanding age- and sex-specific BP trends in children is essential for early detection of hypertension.
- Previous studies have established general BP norms, but regional and population-specific data are vital.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document the age- and sex-specific blood pressure trends in a cohort of Japanese children.
- To analyze the relationship between age, sex, and blood pressure measurements in children aged 6-14 years.
- To provide normative data for childhood blood pressure in Hisayama, Japan.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 6325 children (3294 boys, 3031 girls) aged 6-14 years in Hisayama, Japan.
- Standardized BP measurements were taken in a sitting position using mercury sphygmomanometers and appropriately sized cuffs.
- Systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were recorded, including Korotkoff phase IV (KIV) and phase V (KV) for DBP.
Main Results:
- Mean SBP increased from 89 to 108 mm Hg for boys and 88 to 102 mm Hg for girls between ages 6 and 14.
- Mean DBP (KIV) increased from 58 to 72 mm Hg for boys and 58 to 70 mm Hg for girls.
- Mean DBP (KV) increased from 48 to 63 mm Hg for boys and 48 to 61 mm Hg for girls.
- The increase in SBP was more pronounced in adolescent boys compared to girls.
- No significant sex-based differences were observed for age-specific DBP (KIV and KV).
- The relationship between age and mean SBP was not linear.
Conclusions:
- Childhood blood pressure significantly increases with age in both boys and girls.
- Boys exhibit a greater increase in systolic blood pressure during adolescence.
- These findings contribute valuable population-specific data for monitoring child cardiovascular health in Japan.
Abstract:
Blood pressure (BP) measurements were obtained on a total of 6325 children (3294 boys and 3031 girls), aged 6-14 years, in Hisayama, Japan. All BPs were recorded in a sitting position by trained observers in a standardised manner. Standard mercury sphygmomanometers were used with commercially available cuffs, selected according to the arm circumference. Cuff size no. 3 (bladder width 9 cm, length 23 cm) was the one most commonly selected in 84% of elementary schoolers aged 6-11 years and in 35% of junior high schoolers aged 12-14 years. Mean systolic BPs (SBPs) increased from 89 mm Hg at age 6 years to 108 mm Hg at 14 years (a 21% increase) for boys and from 88 mm Hg to 102 mm Hg (a 16% increase) for girls. Diastolic BP (DBPs, Korotkoff phase IV, KIV) increased from ages 6 to 14 years to the same degree, from 58 mm Hg to 72 mm Hg (a 24% increase) for boys and from 58 mm Hg to 70 mm Hg (a 21% increase) for girls. The increase in DBP (Korotkoff phase V, KV) was greater, from 48 mm Hg to 63 mm Hg (a 30% increase) for boys and from 48 mm Hg to 61 mm Hg (a 28% increase) for girls. The increase in mean SBP for adolescent boys was greater compared with that of girls; however, separation of age-specific values by sex was not observed for mean DBP (KIV) and DBP (KV). The cross-sectional relation between age and mean SBP levels was not linear.